A passenger has complained after pigeons were shot by pest control officers at Dover Priory Station while people were waiting for a train.

Railway bosses say they are now reviewing the way they deal with nuisance pigeons at the station.

A spokesman for SouthEastern Railway said the station had a problem with feral pigeons fouling on the platforms, but the cull should have been carried out when there was no-one there.

One of those who witnessed the pigeons being shot was Andy Chandler who wrote on the Dover Forum website that while he was waiting for the late Deal train on Tuesday night, March 13, he heard a couple of loud bangs and saw a pigeon fall to the ground on the opposite platform.

He said he was told that men from a pest control company were shooting all the pigeons.

“I am not anti-hunting, or very fond of pigeons, but I was alarmed to find that the pest control company were using some sort of rifle and shooting while passengers were waiting on the platforms,” he said.

In a statement, SouthEastern told the Mercury the contractor thought the station was clear of passengers. The cull was supposed to have taken place after the last train had left. They understood Mr Chandler was the only passenger on the station at the time.